Engaging and disengaging device for multi-pin electrical connectors



Jan. 14, 1964 J. F. KAUPPI ETAL 3,117,370

ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING DEVICE FOR MULTI-PIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 19 1961 Jan. 14, 1964 J. F. KAUPPI ET AL 3,117,370 ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING DEVICE FOR MULTI-PIN v ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 19, 1961 llllllllllllll II" Jan. 14, 1 J. F. KAUPPI EI'AL ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING DEVICE FOR MULTI-PIN ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS s sheets-sheet :5

Filed June 19, 1961 Avril/70.44? Jrame f5 t/arawce llnited States This invention relates to a device for engaging and disengaging multi-pin electrical connectors with panel mounted receptacles. More particularly, this apparatus comprises a device which properly aligns mating electrical connectors to prevent pin damage and which provides the required engaging and disengaging force.

Heretoforc, engagement and disengagement of multipin electrical connectors with panel mounted receptacles has been accomplished by hand pushing and pulling of the connector cable assembly or by screw fastener means positioned on both sides of the connector. Due to the pressure required to engage or disengage the mating connectors and the multiplicity of fragile connector pins, previous methods of operation resulted in pin damage, wire pullout and/ or breakage of solder connections. In many instances, prying methods using small hand tools were utilized which marred or disfigured the surface of the chassis module panel in addition to damaging the connectors.

In order to maintain proper alignment of the connector during engagement and disengagement, uniform pressure must be applied to two sides of the connector simultarieously. No previous devices accomplished the above ienticned requirements.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device which facilitates accurate engagement and disengagement of a multi-pin electrical connector with a panel mounted receptacle.

Another object or" this invention is to provide a device which properly aligns a mult-i-pin electrical connector with a panel mounted receptacle during engagement and disengagemen Anoth r object of this invention is to provide a multipin electrical connector engaging and disengaging device which provides leverage for overcoming the friction of multiple contacts.

A further ob ect of this invention is to provide a multipin electrical connector engaging device which is reliable in operation, rugged in stiucture and economical to manufaoture.

Brie-fly our invention comprises a compact leverage device for properly ali ning and engaging a multi-pin electrical connector with a mating panel mounted receptacle. A handle assembly which straddles a multi-pin electrical cable connector assembly is pivotally attached to two pr. el engaging support brackets positioned on both sides of a connector. The handle assembly is provided with substantially U-shaped oarnming heads positioned near the fulcrum points. Both panel engaging support brackets are provided with an axial recessed cam plate guide means in the lower portion. A cam plate having an integral slotted projection for retaining a connector flange and an interconnected lock pinpositioned in the guide means recess is slidably nounted on each of the guide means. Movement of the handle assembly provides a camming action on the connector retainin cam plates. Movement of the cam plates causes the lock pin to "lock the panel engaging elements on a chassis panel and also engages the connector with a panel mounted receptacle. Positive and equal can; pressure on both connector retaining cam plates res lts in proper alignment during engagement and disengagement of the connector with its mating panel mounted receptacle.

atent ice Other objects and uses will become obvious to those skilled in the ant by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings.

'FlGURE l is a perspective illustnation of the connector engaging device mounted on a cable connector as sembly.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the connector engaging device mounted on a cable connector assembly, showing the device being attached to a chassis module panel with the cable connector disengaged from the panel mounted receptacle.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing the engaging device locked in position on the chassis module panel and the cable connector in mating engagement with the panel mounted receptacle.

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the device in the operative position shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, looking in the direction of arrow 5 in FlGURE 1.

FlGURE 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts illustrated in FIGURE 5, showing a portion of the handle assembly cumming head in relation to the connector re taining cam plate.

FIGURE 7 is a left side elevation of the cam plate, guide means, panel fastening element and locking pin.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the locking pin shown in broken lines in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a side elevation view of the handle assembly.

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternate, removable, embodiment of the engaging device, showing a cam plate modified for partial rotation on the guide means to facilitate rapid attachment and detachment of the device on various connector assemblies.

*IGURE ll is a fnagmentaiy front elevation view of the modified cam plate shown in FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary plan view of the modified cam plate of FIGURES 10 and 11, showing a portion of the handle assembly cumming head in relation to the cam plate.

The cable connector assembly selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings, which is one form of many available types presently in use, can be best understood by referring to FIGURES 1 and 4. Insulated wires 1 are encapsulated in rubber or other suitable insulating material to provide a molded cable 2 having a permanently attached metal cover plate 3 at its terminal end. The cover plate 3 is provided on each end with outwardly extending integral flanges l. Extending forward through cover plate 3 is an integral connector 5 having female contact apertures 7 in a molded insulating material 8.

Referring to FiGURES 1 through 4, a handle assembly ll) consists of night and left hand cam levers ll, a spacer bar l2 and a yoke 13. The cam levers ll are provided with a substantially U-shaped ea-mming head 15 on one end to provide cam contact surfaces 16 and 17, as best shown in FIGURE 9. The spaced canuning levers .11 are interconnected by the spacer bar 12 rigidly secured by fasteners 13 and by the yoke 13 pivotally mounted to the outer ends of right and left hand levers ll by fasteners 2E The pivotal mounting of yoke 13 on both cam levers ll permits the handle assembly 19 to be lowered to a position in line with and parallel to thecentral axis of the cable 2 as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Rotation of the yoke '13 about its fasteners 219 permits the handle assembly it) to straddle its own cable or the cable of a closely positioned upper cable assembly. Varying the length and configuration of spacer bar 12 and yoke 13 permits rapid modification of the entire device for use on various sizes and shapes of similar type multi-pin connectors.

Handle assembly 10 is pivotally mounted at fulcrum points 2 1 by fasteners 23 to right and left hand panel engaging support brackets 24 positioned on both sides of the connector 5. Cam plate guide means 2 6, having an axial recess 27 (FIGURES and 6) in its upper surface, is rigidly secured in apertures 28 in the lower portion of bracket legs 29 and 30 by fasteners 32. Cam plates 33 slidably mounted on each of the two guide means 26 are provided with integral inward extensions 34 and 35 with a slotted central portion 37 therebetween for retaining the flange 4 of cable connector 5 by fasteners 38. Fore and aft cam bearing surfaces 39 and 40 of cam plate extensions 34 and 35 provide bearing surfaces for cam contact surfaces 16 and 17 of handle assembly 10.

The axial recess 27 in the upper portion of each of the guide means 26 provides a sliding guideway for lock pins 42, as further shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The upper surface of lock pin 42, when positioned in recess 27, is flush with the top surface of guide means 26. One end of lock pin 42, which is inserted in aperture 41 of cam plate 33, is secured to opposite sides of cam plate 33 for movement therewith by two integral upwardly extending projections 44 on lock pin 42.

The panel contact surface 45 of both support brackets 24 may be covered with a suitable abrasion resistant material.

A panel fastening element 46, which is an integral extension of guide means 26 extending forwardly through apertures 28 of panel engaging bracket legs 29, consists of a reduced diameter throat 49 and an offset, full diameter panel engagement end 48. The length and shape of throat 49 permits entry of engagement end 48 into apertures 50 in a chassis panel 52 spaced on both sides of panel mounted male receptacle 51 which is secured to the panel 52 by fasteners 55. After the engagement end 48 has penetrated panel apertures 50, the bottom surface of throat 49 is in contact with the bottom surface of panel apertures 50, thus permitting engagement end 48 to drop into position to grip chassis panel 52 as illustrated in FIG- URE 2.

The upper surfaces of throat 49 and engagement end 48 are in line with the bottom of the axial recess 27 of the guide means 26 to permit entry of lock pin 42 into panel aperture 50, as shown in FIGURE 3, thus preventing accidental dislodgement of the engagement end 48.

In FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 is shown a removable embodiment of the device illustrated in the previous figures. This alternate embodiment incorporates a modified cam plate 33a which is rotatable as well as slidable on guide means 26 to facilitate rapid attachment and detachment of the device for use on different connector assemblies. This embodiment is economically desirable for use on connector assemblies in which there is insuflicient use to justify a permanently attached connector engaging device. In this modification, the two rotatable cam plates 33a are not secured to connector flanges 4, but are provided with handles 54 which can be raised to a vertical position to permit the device to be lowered into position over the two female connector flanges 4. The cam plate handles 54 are then moved to a horizontal position as illustrated in FIG- URES and 11 for positioning the connector flange 4 in the slotted central portion 37a of cam plates 33a. Suitable locking means, or spring biasing means (not shown) may be included for holding the connector retaining cam plate 33a in the position illustrated in FIGURES 10 and 11.

Operation of this invention is as follows. Handle assembly C10 is raised to cause cam contact surface 16 to bear against cam bearing surfaces 39 of the connector retaining cam plates 33 or 33a (FIGURE 10) to move lock pins 42 and female connector 5 to a retracted position as illustrated in FIGURE 2. With handle assembly 10 in a raised position, panel fastening elements 46 are inserted in panel apertures 50 spaced on both sides of panel mounted male receptacle 51 for retaining the device in position. As the handle assembly 10 is lowered, cam contact surfaces 17 push against cam bearing surfaces 40 of the connector retaining cam plate 33, moving lock pins 42 into panel apertures 50 to prevent dislodgement of panel engagement end 48. Continued downward move ment of the handle assembly '10 causes cam plates 33 to move the female connector 5 into mating engagement with the corresponding panel mounted male receptacle 51, as shown in FIGURE 3. Removal of the device from the chassis panel 52 is accomplished by raising the handle assembly 10 which causes cam contact surfaces 16 to pull against cam bearing surface 40 to retract the cam plate 33 to remove locking pin 42 from panel apertures 50. Con tinued raising of handle assembly 10 causes connector retaining cam plates 33 to disengage connector 5 from the panel mounted receptacle 51. The device is then raised to dislodge engagement end 48 from panel 52, thus permitting withdrawal of engagement end 48 through panel aperture 50.

From the foregoing description of the present invention, it can be readily seen that use of this device will accurately align mating connectors and provide the necessary leverage to easily engage or disengage multi-pin plug connectors.

While in order to comply with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to electrical connectors as shown but may be applied equally as well to other types of equipment such as pneumatic, hydraulic and fluid connectors, for example, but the means and construction herein disclosed comprises the preferred form of several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the llegitimate and valid scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for engaging and disengaging a connector, having a collar-like flange, with a panel mounted member, comprising in combination: a handle assembly having integral cam surfaces, a support bracket having panel fastening means and cam plate guide means fixed thereto, said panel fastening means arranged to hold said bracket with respect to the panel so that said guide means is perpendicular to the panel, said handle being pivotally mounted on said bracket, cam plates slidably mounted on said guide means and having connector retaining means thereon, said connector retaining means positioned to engage the connector flange to hold the connector in alignment with the panel mounted member, said cam surfaces being in driving relationship with said cam plates to move the connector linearly into proper final engagement with the panel mounted member.

2. A device for engaging and disengaging a connector, having a collar-like flange, with a panel mounted member, comprising in combination: a handle assembly having integral cam surfaces, a pair of spaced support brackets each having panel fastening means and cam plate guide means fixed thereto, said panel fastening means arranged to hold said brackets with respect to the pane] so that said guide means are perpendicular to the panel, a cam plate slidably mounted on each of said guide means, each said cam plate having connector retaining means positioned to en-- gage the connector flange to hold the connector in alignment with the panel mounted member, said handle assembly pivotally connected to said support brackets, and said cam surfaces being in driving reationship with said cam plates to move the connector linearly into proper final engagement with the panel mounted member.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2 wherein said connector retaining means comprises two flat extensions on said cam plates having a connector retaining recess therebetween, the outer sides of said extensions being bearing surfaces positioned to be drivingly engaged by said cam surfaces, said cam plates being rotatably mounted on said guide means, and including means for rotating said cam plates to a free position where said connector retaining recesses are removed from the connector, whereby in operation said device is removable from the connector.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein each said panel fastening means comprises an elongated flat surface on said bracket adapted to rest against one side of the panel and a sear-like gripping element extending forward past said surface sufiiciently to project through a hole in the panel and hook over the rear side thereof.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 wherein each of said guide means is provided with an axial recess and a lock pin slidably mounted in said recess, said lock pin connected to said cam plate and being slidable therewith to a locking position in the panel hole beside said gripping element when said connector is engaged.

6. A device for engaging and disengaging a connector With a panel mounted member, comprising: a handle assembly having two substantially parallel handle members spaced to straddle the connector, spacer means connected between said members, two integral opposed cam surfaces near one end of each of said members, and a pivot point on each said member, said pivot points being coaxial; a pair of support brackets respectively pivotalily connected to said handle members at said pivot points; a panel contact surface and panel fastening means on each said bracket; cam guide means attached to each said bracket perpendicular to said contact surface; cam plates slidably mounted on each said guide means, said cam plates provided with flat extensions having a connector retaining recess therebetween adapted to fit over a collar-like flange on the connector; the outer sides of said extensions being bearing surfaces positioned to be drivingly engaged by said cam surfaces for moving the connector parallel to said guide means into and out of engagement with the panel mounted member.

Hutchinson Dec. 24, 1912 Hippey May 23, 1933 

1. A DEVICE FOR ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING A CONNECTOR, HAVING A COLLAR-LIKE FLANGE, WITH A PANEL MOUNTED MEMBER, COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A HANDLE ASSEMBLY HAVING INTEGRAL CAM SURFACES, A SUPPORT BRACKET HAVING PANEL FASTENING MEANS AND CAM PLATE GUIDE MEANS FIXED THERETO, SAID PANEL FASTENING MEANS ARRANGED TO HOLD SAID BRACKET WITH RESPECT TO THE PANEL SO THAT SAID GUIDE MEANS IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE PANEL, SAID HANDLE BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BRACKET, CAM PLATES SLIDABLY MOUNTED ON SAID GUIDE MEANS AND HAVING CONNECTOR RETAINING MEANS THEREON, SAID CONNECTOR RETAINING MEANS POSITIONED TO ENGAGE THE CONNECTOR FLANGE TO HOLD THE CONNECTOR IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE PANEL MOUNTED MEMBER, SAID CAM SURFACES BEING IN DRIVING RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID CAM PLATES TO MOVE THE CONNECTOR LINEARLY INTO PROPER FINAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PANEL MOUNTED MEMBER. 